By RICK KARLIN Capitol bureau

Updated 7:53 am, Thursday, September 1, 2011

ALBANY -- Will Irene and its flooding lead to a boom-and-bust syndrome for New York's struggling job market?

The answer is as changeable as the weather but there are some distinct possibilities. The wreckage created by this week's floods will likely create a mini-boom for road and bridge workers who will have to re-build much of the upstate infrastructure. And it will keep carpenters, plumbers and home remodeling workers busy.

The impact on the state workforce will emerge as a better picture of the flooding's overall budget impact forms.

"This is unprecedented kind of stuff," Elmendorf said, adding timing will be important as some jobs can be done before winter.

"We expect our remodelers will be very busy," said Lew Dubuque, executive vice president of the state Builders Association.

But with the cost of Irene's cleanup estimated to be high -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday estimated the damage at $1 billion -- some state workers wonder if it would cause a budget hole that would trigger layoffs.

Most observers said that was unlikely, because any real budgetary problems would come from an economic downturn or other event causing revenues to drop, rather than a natural disaster.

In exchange for higher health costs and three years without raises, CSEA members received broad assurances against layoffs for the next two years. There are exceptions, however, including a "material or unexpected change in the state's fiscal situation.''